I am a 172 lbs man. When I fast for 36 hours, drinking all water I want, I lose 3 lbs. In the next few days, abount 2.3 of those pounds come back. If I eat more, all 3 lost pounds come back. About 0.6 lbs is the actual fat loss, the rest is transient effects. Ignoramus
I like your concise observations, Igno. I am struggling to lose weight and keep it off. As I get older, I feel more and more that my very life depends upon my permanent ability to get this done.